Electric water-heater.



J. H. HALLBBRG.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER. APPLIOA'IIONIILED JAN. 31, 190B.

Patented July 11, 1911.

2 BHEBTBBHEET 1.

mvavron J. H. HALLBHHG.

ELEGTRIG WATER HEATER. APPLIUAIION FILED JAILSI, 190s.

Patented July 11, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Hlll un UNITED STA'llES T OFFICE.

JOSEF HENBIK HALLBERG, NEW YORK. N. Y.

ELECTRIC WATER-HEATER.

Application filed January 31,

To all a-hom it may concern:

Be it. known that. I, Josizr ll. llnmn'nno, a

Specification of Letters Patent.

. herein shown citizen of the United States. and resident of L the city of New York, in the county of Yew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric \Vater-lleaters, of which the following i a QPttilit'tntinU.

This invention relates to water heaters the electric type.

The object'sought tobe obtained by this invention is to provide a heater of this type which will heat the water flowing therethrough to the desired temperature in the shortest possible space of time and with the minimum emiaumption of current.

It has been found by a large number of experiments with apparatus of this type that the most eflicient results are obtained, both as to current consumed and time required to heat. water,

by providing a direct contactbetween the water and the heating elements. To these experiments it 'as found that the life of the heating element depend: ed upon the presence of the Water whi e the current was flowing and in order to inaure this condition I have provided a cut-out device which operates automatically to interrupt the current when the water ceases to flow or when the flow should be reduced to such an extent. that the water in the heater would boil. This device operates automatically to aecoh'iplisli the above results, it be ing only necessary for the operator to turn on the water atthe controlling valve, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

in order to' provide against the grounding of the electric circuit through the water. I hart-provided insulating jointe between the portions 'of the heater which are in direct contact with the water and other portions of the device and this in connection with the fact that the IQSlS-ifttllt't ot the water is hullieient to prevent any flow of current therethrough avoids the dilheulty above mentinned.

here the heater iu conne ted to the l'lijtl' lar Edison thiee-wire systems. the neutral. or grounded connection. is connected to the lower part of the heater, which nbunltlttl) prevents any grounds, as there can he no difi'erenco of potential. This is also the case where the heater is usaad on alternating systems where one side or the neutral oi": the secondary circuit is grounded.

Patented July 11.. 1911.

1908. Serial No. 413,552.

The electric water heater which I have as an illustration of one form or embodiment of my invention eonuista of a supporting box upon which is mounted a double pole quick break switch of standard construction and an insulating joint of special design, to the lower end of which is attached an ordinary water valve. Secured to the upper part of the insulating joint is a metal fitting within which is placed the cutout. which automatically opens and closes the electric circuit the water is turned ott' and on. In the upper end of this fittingiaheld a porcelain tube provided with a terminal at each end. Vithin the porcelain tube is placed the heating element, which eoneists of a specially designed spiral, made of a material which will not rust or corrode, or be injured in any way by the action of the current and the )resenee of the water. At the upper end oi the porcelain tube is another metal fitting proy ided with an insulatinggoint above it which supports the spout. )ne wire leads from the switch to the upper fitting on the porcela n tube and the wire from the other side of the switch leads to the-lower fitting. The poi" elain tube and fittings are surrounded by a brass tube.

The device can be' Jlaeed anywhere where an electric circuit can e installed. The heater can also be used in combination with a water tank placed slightly above it, in which case it is not necesaary to connect the heater with thewater system, only connecting it to the electric wiring by meaneof an attaelnnent plug and flexible cable. With this arrangement the water heater is portable and can be installed in any hotel'room where it can be attached to the ordinary wash-stand.

In the drawings act-ompanyinn this specilit'zttion l have shown one form of water heater embodyiru; the features above de scribed as an illHHtration of one perative embodiment of my invention.

Figure l is a perspective View of a water heatcr showing; a current controlling switch of the ordinary type. Fig. 9 is an enlarged eeelional side elevation oi the lower portion oi the heater with the eonlrolling awltch removed. Fig. 3 ie an enlarged side ch vation of the upper portion of the heater.

At 1 is shown a su 'iporting box which may be se ured to a wall by suitable means.

A t 9 is shown-an in ulating joint HEHLKitiltll nary wire connections are supplied from the design to which an ordinary Water valvey ii'isulating joint 2 and carries the cut-out] switch, which Wlll be more fully described hereinafter.

A porcelain tube 5 is positioned within 1 the heater and lteld in place by means of, suitable supports at either end thereof, such i as 6 and A heating element is shown at l 8. This heating element is preferably in the form of a tapered spiral secured at either I end to suitable supports forming terminals to hold the same in position in the porcelain l tube 5.

The object of constructing the heating element or coil 8 in the form of a tapered spiral is to provide the greateit possible contact surface between the water and the heating coil and by tapering the coil from the bottom to the top a greater contact surface for l a given length of path over which the water travels is provided at the lower end, and, consequently, more heat units are distributed i at this portion of the tube than at the upper. This provides a more efiicient distribut'ion of the heating energy as the water column is cold at the lower portion and requires a maximum heating at this point. A, further object of tapering the heating coil is to distribute the weight of the same so as to prevent sagging and so permit a construction without the usual insulating core, leaving the coils open on all sides and allowing a free flow of the water therethrough.

An insulating joint D'is provided in the upper portion of the heater upon which is supported the spout 10. An outer casing ll is supported upon the box 1. at the lower end and held in position at the by means of the collar 12 and the ring 13. I

upper end insulating The spring 14 holds the suppo'rt 7 in the position against the upper end of the porcelain tube 5. This support is provided with openings which allow the water to pass freely thercthrough from the porcelain tube 5. A spring 15 holds the support (3 in position against the lower end of the porcelain tube 5 in a similar manner.

Tubes 26 and 29 are positioned in the lower and upper portions, respectively, of the heater and inclose the ends of the insulating tube These tubes are insulated from each other by the porcelain tube 5 and from the casing by the insulating joints 2 and 9, respectively, and carry the line connections 25 and 30 by means of which cur rent; is su plied to the heating coil 8, as will be more iiilly explained hereinafter. Ordiline connections 25 and 30 tothe main switch on the outside of the supporting box 1.

These wire connections are not shown in Figs. 2 and 3 but the main switch is shown in Fig. l.

The spring 15 is connected to a support 16 to which is attached the contact support 17 carryin the contact member 18, which is adjustab e thereon. An insulating member 19 may be supported on the fitting 4 by means of the three posts as shown.

A contact lever 20 is pivotally attached to the fitting 4 and carries a contact 21. This contact lever 20 is operated by means of the uide rod 22 carried by the plunger 23. W on the water is turned on throu h the coupling 3 the same passes through t 9 opening in the fitting 4 and raises the plunger 23 carrying the rod 22 and causes the contact lever 20 to move the contact 21. into engagement with the contact 18. A spring, such as 24, is interposed between the plunger 23 and-the lever 20, which insures the contact 21 being held in place against the contact 18 and also allows the plunger 23 to be raised as the flow of water may be increased.

The opening in the fitting 4 in which the plunger 23 is positioned is of such a size that the plunger fits closely in the lower portion thereof but is permitted to be raised by the pressure of the water, causing the contacts 21 and 18 to be brought together as described. At the point in the opening in the fitting 4 corresponding to the point of engagement between the contacts 21 and 18 the opening is flared outwardly or enlarged to allow the water to flow freely past the plunger 23 at this point. If the water pressure be increased to an amount greater than is necessary to lift the plunger 23 to this position the increased pressure lifts the plunger 23 above this point and compresses the spring 24, thus insuring the contacts 21 and 18 being held together and at the same time permitting a large volume of water to pass through the fitting 4 into the interior of the heater.

The insulating support 19 is somewhat smaller than the tube 26 in which it is positioned so as to allow the water to pass freely by thesame. The support 6 may be provided with a central portion having an opening sufficiently large to allow the required amount of water to pass there-through to the interior of the porcelain tube The central portion of the support 6 also forms a support and terminal for the lower end of the heating coil 8, and it will be seen that the water is discharged to the interior of the heating coil 8 at its lower and largcrend. As the heating coil is entirely open between its upper and lower supports the water will flow through in contact therewith at all points.

The controlling switch, shown in Fig. l, is connected on one side to the terminal ring 25. shown in Fig. 2. From this point the current is taken through the lllt'lnl-klllyf tube 26 to the fitting 4 and through the lever 20 to the eoi'itact 21. Assuming non that the water haa been turned on the plum-- 5 get 23 will he raiwd, musing tlntnnlzn't 2} to engage the eontzut 1H and the ('urrr-nt will flow through the support 17 and sprint: iii to the lower support ti, through the heating; element or coil 8 to the upper Support :27. 1 shown in Fig. 3. through the spring H- and fitting 28 to the inrlosiog lulu 29 and thrtermiiral 30. whicl'ris eonnerled to the otln-r side of the controlling switch.

'If the water he turned oil the plunger if 1 will drop to the position shown in Fig. i. and the contact between 21 and il will he broken, thus cutting off the current from the heating coil and preventing any duznuiie which might be Caused to the aann: if the 20 current was allowed to pass therctln'ongz'h when no water was present. It will hr noted that the direction of nnirenlent of tlngcontact 21 in breaking the circuit i llitllhverse to the direction of flow of tin water. 25 This tends to prevent the formingof an :or

when the circuit is broken which would 1'!- sult in damage to the contacts.

The contact 18 being movahhpermits iln point: of out-out to be adjusted relathr to the water flow thus; governing and ('mit:' .-i-

'ling the maximum possible tciinnrralnro, .is:

the heat units are constant.

It will be noted that the operation of the cut-out is automatic and requirea no attention, it being controlled entirely by the lloir of the water. This avoids; the necessity of turning: off the current and thq'main switvh every time the Water is turned off to prevent damage to the heating coil. as it will be seen 40 that in this device the current is entirclfy con trolled by the flow of the water. By (hang ing the point of contact the cut-mil (win. he

adjustedto close the circuit when a pit-dc termined amount of water is flowing or to cut outthe current when the low is dropped below a predetermined amount.

If the Water valve is open but the current not turned on, cold water will flow from the heater, The moment the current is turned on the water becomes heated almost instantaneously and by regulating the flow of wa- "berthe' temperature can be adjusted up to 2(30degrees F. v l

i It is possible withthe device herein shown to draw aiglass of hot water in thirty sew .onds whereas on thevgas stove or with other forms of electric heating utensils now used thie would, take two minutes. It. is also possible to Fill a two quart hot water-bag in -titro and one-half minutes whereas on the ugas stove this wouldreqnire atleashsix miniites actual heating time. The increased of the electric serviciat ten cents per i 4" hour' istoo. small to consider.

dy. Aa"tna;ny could-he made in the alum: (.Ullt-ll'lttlltfll and many apparently widely (hill-rent tlHllUtl'lllltlllH of my in\vu lion designed without departing from the mope ll'u-reol. l intenrl that all matter (ontuined in the ulmro description or l|(7\\'li in the arrompauying drawings shall he interpicted an illuatrativc nu'rvly nl' :lli operative rnilnnliinent if my inruntion and not in a limiting sense.

l. in on elw-trir \l'il'ltl' lltilltl'. in romllinulion. :1 healing (lenient. supporta forming terminalat either end ol maid healing element. two indvprhdr'nt tulim carrying said within-11 and electri ally onnected therrtm aunt it ran out H\\ll "ll lidlhl l llttl ilrone ot' s2ll-l lltllinn. mid Karin-h living controlled by the lion ot' nut-w in mid h ater and operatint :inlomulh'fllljv to rut out the current from said lit-Min; tltillilll u'lientilhc water igat o in ilow and to runner-tthe same when rh i ter lion". therein.

'2. in an rlv-i'lilr water heater, in combina' tion. a tap red heating (-oil poaiiioned in Fdli'l lllilltl rat; that the water may flow thereiln'ongh and he iii-ought into contort therevciil and llit'ztltr for supplying.current to raid. Coil.

fl. in an i-lertric \rn'trr lu-a'tvr. in combination. :in inaulatiug tube resiliently supported in mild healer. aupporls for said tuhoforuiinn terminals for a heating coil, a heating; mil rwuaprndud in eaidluhe. from said terminiils and nu-ans for supplying current to Said coil. a

t. In a! electric water heater. in combination. an insulating lulu, a heating'coil suspended in said tuhe, :1 support for said tube provided with an opening therein adapt ed to tllf (liill t the waiter flowing; through said ln-ntcr to the interior of said heating coil. 21 ut-out hating its contacts lor-ated in the path ol and operated hy the water flowing through said heater and adapted to auto inatimlly cut out the current from said heating coil when theflow of water has reached a predetermined amount, and means for supplying current thereto.

5. vIn combination with an electric water heater, a tapered heating coil positioned in.

said heater in the path ofdhe'flow of sthe water and arranged topormit-ethc watertotlow thrret-hrough from the larger -to=thc smaller end thereof in direct contact therewith, and means for supplying current to said coil.

6, iii an clertrir water heater, in combination. a cut out comprising apnir of contacts positioned in the path of the flow ofithe water in said heater and arranged to openitho circuit tranarcraely to the dirertionof saidflow. the opcrat ion of said out out being controlled hr the flow oftho watern 7. In an electric water heater, in combination: a cut out, comprising a pair of contacts positioned inthe path of-tl e flow of the Wa ter in said heater, one of said contacts being arranged to be operated by the flow of-the water to open and close the circuit.

8. A cut out adapted for use in an electric water heater comprising a pair of contacts positioned in the path of the flow of the Water in said heater, one of said contacts being mounted upon a movable arm adapted to be operated by the flow of the water to open and close the circuit.

9. A cut out adapted for use in an electric water heater comprising a pair of contacts positioned in the path of the flow of the water in said heater, one of said contacts being arranged to be operated by the flow of the water to open and close the circuit and the other of which is adjustable to regulate the point of contact relative to the amount of water flowing.

10, In an electric water heater, in combination, a cut out comprising a pair of contacts positioned in the path of the fiow of the water in said heater, a plunger operated by the flow of water in the heater, and means for causing said plunger to operate said cut out.

11. In an electric water heater, in combination, a cut out comprising a pair of contacts positioned in the path of the flow of the water in said heater, a plunger operated by the How of water in the heater, and a resilient connection between said plunger and said cut out whereby the operation of the latter is controlled by the How of water in the heater.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 27th day of January A. D. 1908.

JOSEF HENRIK HALLBERG.

\Vitnesses:

Lewis J. DooLn'rLn, HowARn B.- Come. 

